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Welcome to Am I Infected

IMPORTANT UPDATE
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Welcome to the "Am I Infected?" POZ forum.

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Rather than worrying about symptoms, a visit to the doctor for a full STD screen is needed. Since it has been a year, you are well past the 3 month mark, so an HIV test will be definitive in the results. You should not zero in on HIV--there are many more things much easier to get.

By saying don't zero in on HIV I mean that HIV isn't the only thing you should test for. Your first post said you didn't get tested by the way. Anyhow, HIV is not the easiest thing you can get--Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, etc are all much easier to get. Assuming either of the girls is even positive for HIV--it still isn't as easily transmitted from female to male as it is from male to female. It isn't impossible to get, though. There are many studies that throw out estimated risks, but statistics really aren't helpful in the long run. There are many factors that come into play that can increase or decrease risk. The important thing is that you get tested for ALL STDs. As for symptoms you described, symptoms are useless when it comes to HIV. The best thing for that is to go to a doctor for your concerns so that he/she can diagnose you face to face.

OK. First of all you have no business ever having unprotected intercourse unless you're in a securely monogamous relationship in which both partners have tested negative together. Everytime you have unprotected intercourse you are putting your life at risk. It's as stark and as simple as that. So you need right now and from here on in to get a supply of latex condoms and use them. Everytime. No exceptions no matter what you think you know about whomever you are with.

Now, as to your risk in relation to those past incidents, HIV is not an easy virus to transmit. It is significantly more difficult to accomplish from female to male, and even more so if the guy is circumcised. But low risk is not the same as no risk as all too many men can attest to.

The reason for having a full STD panel if you're sexually active is because other STDs are much easier to acquire than HIV. It's a good idea to have a full panel done regularly -- at least annually and every six months is even better.

Hopefully you will scoot by safely this time in relation to HIV.But you can't count on that always being the case. So get into the habit of using condoms. No kidding.

And if you are having symptoms in relation to your penis, that's something you should be disucssing with your doctor.

i recently developed the white stuff on my tongue and my mouth has been dry...is that a symptom of HIV at all?..i researched online and all of them said oral thrush was a very common symptom. Can you mods clarify this for me

PS* i know symptoms cant really tell if it's HIV or not but I am wondering.

Everyone here who is scared has list symptoms of HIV. These HIV symptoms are found on medical websites and such. I have seen some people list some the the symptoms given from other websites, and I have also seen people list all the symptoms giving from another website.

My question is, ppl who listed those symptoms, why do you guys say it's not a HIV symptom?

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

The symptoms listed on other websites are very general symptoms and could be indicative of many different illnesses. Symptoms or the lack of symptoms mean absolutely nothing when it comes to hiv infection. Some people become so ill they have to be admitted to hospital, while others notice nothing at all. No two people ever have the exact same seroconversion illness symptoms. There is NO point in talking about symptoms, because even the best hiv doctor in the world cannot diagnose hiv through symptoms alone. ONLY testing will reveal a person's hiv status with accuracy.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

This is the second time I've had to merge your threads. Please read the Welcome thread and get with the program.

Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by ANY infection in the body. They can also be caused by constantly touching, poking and prodding them to see if they're swollen. Keep your hands off them and if you are conerned about them, see your doctor.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Stop starting new threads. Rather than merge yet another one here I have deleted your latest one. Consider yourself warned. Keep your entries in this thread.

As to what you wrote in the latest thread:

"sorry for making a new thread. seems like nobody cound answer my question on my other thread and it's been a few days.

my peni$ gets red after sex. Also, i have the extra flap of skin on my penis as well. after sex when i wash my penis i always notice that it gets red and when i fold down my skin, i notice that part is red also? any1 know what this could be?" ....................................

Since the penis becomes engorged with blood when sexually aroused it's no surprise that yours gets red and remains so for a time after sex. I am not sure what you mean by "an extra flap" on your penis. Whatever it is I expect it's just a residual effect of the engorgement process. Certainly there's nothing in what you are describing which sounds out of order to me, but if you have any further doubts how about discussing it with your doctor? We cannot diagnose anything here.

i took the hiv test and it has been almsot 3 weeks since i've heard from the office. it will be 3 weeks on thursday.MY question is, do they not call if you if theres nothing wrong?

They will call. But you are also allowed to follow up. Just dont go overboard.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

is it taking longer because i was tested positive and they want to make sure?

NO. I got my positive result back in 48 hours.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts